The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-09-15
during the past eighteen months, and could
therefore impart any information desired CO l.
cerning it, Il



therefore impart any information desired COZ
cerning it. -
THE BUSINESS OF n DUBOIS
mas three distinct features raising aud selling
nurseiy stock. marketing grapes. and making
wines, He has about twenty acres given up TO
the industry, and there are cultivated upon them
nearly seventy-fve different varieties OF grape
vines. Inc m1st Of these are intended for nur-
se'y cuttings. During the ripening season thOus-
ands OF baskets of Delewares, Concords and
other Val ,elies are shipped to Philadelphia, New
York and Boston, and some to New Orleans.
They are packed in baskets holding about six
pounds OF the fruit each, and Cor them the price
obtained varies from twenty-five 10 forty and
nifty cents per pound; this year some small lots
ought only fifteen cents In New Orleans-this
was 'ne lowest price for which any OF the crop
sold, and it was exceptional. When these prices
are compared with those of Caifornia-four 10
SIX dollars per ton-the difference s indeed
worth neling.
THE EXPENSE OF CULTIVATION
il comparatively light, the proprietor, assisted
by M. Lemoine, superin tends the cultivation and
ordinarily employs emily three or four negro
hands During the late spring and early sum-
mer-the picking season-ths number is in
creased to fifteen or twenty, but this period is a
snort one. As the proprietor was abaent the
exact number of pounds sold could 20, be
learned, but the year was an unusually proita-
The sale of nursery stock forms an important
part OF NJ. Dubois business. He ship. this to
all parts OF the State and into Georgia and other
portions of the South
But it was of the producing grapes of
which the visitors were more eager 10 learn.
Mr.. Lemolne explained as he took them up and
down, back and forth, through hundreds of rows
OF vines that it is the grape known as the Santa
Anna upon which the proprietor relies for his
Wines These are small grape but growing
very closely upon large clusters they are black
In color and very heavy with juice. Atter ira
versing
UP AND DOWN SUNNY HILLsIDEs
exposed 10 the south and east, covering in the
long walk nearly the whole vineyard the guide
led the way to the wine presses; but darkness
mad ovetaken the party, and, il being some dis
tance away from the house where lanterns
might have been obtained, it was decided to 90
directly to the cellars, beneath the house Here
are stored long rows of barrels containing in all
1000 gallons Of claret wine, this years product
This is placed in the barrels directly from the
presses not drop of alcohol or any other
strengthening or coloring ingredient being added.
THE GUIDE PRECEDED HIS VISITORS
in an exploration of this cellar, holding in his
hand lamp and talking all the while as he
went. There was a strong odor OF tar in the room.
what might have been expected in a wine Gel
lar; the Frenchman explained that small borer
had made its appearance among the casks, and
so rapidly did he put in his work that he would
bore quite through the slaves in very few
hours. 1t had therefore become necessary TO
completely cover the casks with preparation OF
coal tar, which was disastetul to the worm and
into which he invariably refused TO bore
This wine is allowed to remain at least eigh-
teen months in the wood before il is ready for
market; some remains there two years and more
before it is drawn off into bottles. NJ Dubois is
rlv tn Nor
Southern cities the vintage Of the years 1894 and
1885 and part Of that Of 1886 Shipped in the
wood it brings from a dollar to a dollar and
quarter per gallon; in bottles about $3.50 per
case.
NJ LEMoINE WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC
over the prospects of larger crops and better
prices as the wine became better known. The
Lake Hall vineyard, in which he has IN interest,
produces about half of this vintage, bus each year
more acreage is being devoted to th4Gt Annas.
The bottles, their straw jackets, the k6<es stop
pers, ETC., are all purchased from reens~f supply
agencies.
Mr.. Lemone took from its position upon the
clay floor of the cellar bottle of this caret of
last years vintage, and invited his guests into
the parlor above to test it. The room was a
spacious one, but darkened by reason OF the ab-
sence of the head OF the family with his wife and
daughter. In one corner stood fine large
craving of Gambetta, and the other ornaments
about the room showed the love of the mother
country which the occupants still possess. Re
turning with glasses, the wine was served and
found to be OF an excellent quality,
IT'S SLIGHTLY ACID FLAVOR
indicating that il had not been sweetened like so
many of thu California clarets. Il is Of excellent
color and remarkably clear.
A pressing invitation was extended TO the wis.,
itors 10 accompany NJ Lemoine to Lake Hall
the next day, but ii could not be accepted, un
fortunately. The industry of wine making is a
new one in Florida-that is the business Of bot
Ting and shipping clares out of the State. A
fine quality OF sherry and port is also produced
here, but only limited attention is given to
these
The ride home in the earlv evening was again
between fields OF corn and cotton. The katy
dds and the crickets were humming Justify
meanwhile. This wine culture is only one of
the agricultural capabilities of old Leon under
intelligent and euterprising management.